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Question

Read the following Passage and answer the questions

The wirters who profess to write the history of the Revolution that was enacted in India in 1857 do not try to discuss the real causes that led to it. On all great religious and political revolutions it is impossible to connect together the links apparently inconsistent without thoroughly understanding the principles which are at work. Mazzini in a critical article on Carlyle's French Revolution has said that every revolution must have a fundamental principle. A revolutionary movement cannot be based on flimsy and momentary grievances. What types of mistakes the English authors have committed in writing the history of Revolutionary war. Their accounts have been based on misleading and unjust ideas one which changes or distorts the whole spirit of Revolution is the device of The English historian of namely describing the rumour of greased cartridges as the moving cause of the Revolt. Equally misleading is the theory that the rising was due to the annexation of Oudh. The great principles were Swadharma and Swaraj. In the thundering room of 'Din Din' which rose to protect religion when there were evident signs of cunning, dangerous and disruptive attack on religion dearer than life and in terrific blows dealt at chains of slavery with holy desire of acquiring Swaraj. In the proclamiation of the establishment of Swaraj. The emperor of Delhi says, Hindus and Mohomedans of India, Arise Brethren of all the gifts of God the most gracious is the gift of God.

Which is incorrect about the history writing of the Revolt?

The correct answer is

The English authors have given a correct account of the Revolt

Analyzing History Writing of the 1857 Revolt

The question asks us to identify the statement that is incorrect about the history writing of the great Revolution of 1857, based on the provided passage. The passage specifically discusses how English authors wrote about this event and critiques their approach.

Let's examine each option in light of the passage's content:

  • Option 1: "A Revolutionary Movement cannot be based on flimsy and momentary grievances". The passage quotes Mazzini stating exactly this principle, emphasizing that revolutions must have a fundamental basis beyond temporary issues. Therefore, according to the passage, this statement is correct.

  • Option 2: "The English authors have given a correct account of the Revolt". The passage explicitly states that writers (specifically mentioning English historians later) "do not try to discuss the real causes" and that their accounts have been based on "misleading and unjust ideas". It calls their description of the greased cartridges rumour as the main cause "misleading". This directly contradicts the idea that English authors gave a correct account. Therefore, this statement is incorrect based on the passage.

  • Option 3: "The great principles were Swadharma and Swaraj". The passage clearly states, "The great principles were Swadharma and Swaraj," presenting these as the true underlying causes of the Revolt, in contrast to the misleading accounts focusing on minor grievances. Therefore, according to the passage, this statement is correct.

  • Option 4: "It is impossible to connect the inconsistent links of all great revolutions with understanding the true causes." The passage says, "On all great religious and political revolutions it is impossible to connect together the links apparently inconsistent without thoroughly understanding the principles which are at work." This means that understanding the underlying principles (true causes) is essential to connect the seemingly inconsistent events. The option rephrases this idea slightly but conveys the same meaning: understanding the true causes is necessary to make sense of the inconsistent links. Therefore, according to the passage, this statement is correct.

Based on this analysis, the statement that is incorrect about the history writing of the Revolt, according to the passage, is that English authors have given a correct account.

The passage strongly criticizes the English authors' approach to writing the history of the 1857 Revolution, highlighting that they missed the real causes and principles like Swadharma and Swaraj, focusing instead on superficial or misleading explanations like the greased cartridges or the annexation of Oudh.

Revision Table: 1857 Revolt History Critique

Statement Presence/Mention in Passage Correct/Incorrect (as per Passage)
Revolutionary movement needs fundamental principle Mentioned (quoting Mazzini) Correct
English authors gave correct account Contradicted (called 'misleading', 'unjust', missed 'real causes') Incorrect
Great principles were Swadharma and Swaraj Explicitly stated Correct
Understanding true causes needed for inconsistent links Mentioned ('without thoroughly understanding the principles') Correct

Additional Information: Causes of the 1857 Revolt

While the passage focuses on the critique of history writing, it also touches upon the real versus perceived causes of the 1857 Revolt. English authors often highlighted immediate triggers like the greased cartridges rumour as the primary cause. However, the passage argues this view is misleading.

The passage posits that the true, deeper causes were rooted in fundamental principles:

  • Swadharma: This refers to one's own religion or duty. The Revolt was seen by participants as a defence of their religion against perceived interference by the British. The greased cartridges, allegedly made with animal fat (cow or pig), were seen as a direct attack on both Hindu and Muslim religious beliefs, igniting the religious sentiment that was part of Swadharma.
  • Swaraj: This means self-rule or independence. The passage links the Revolt to a "holy desire of acquiring Swaraj" and mentions the proclamation of the establishment of Swaraj. This highlights the political motive of overthrowing foreign rule and regaining sovereignty. The annexation of states like Oudh, while mentioned as another misleading superficial cause by English authors, contributed to the loss of Swaraj for Indian rulers and people, feeding into the desire for self-rule.

The passage's core argument is that focusing only on immediate triggers like cartridges or annexation misses these underlying, powerful principles of Swadharma and Swaraj which were the real driving forces behind the widespread revolutionary movement.

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Important Questions from French Revolution and ahead

  1. In which battle was Napoleon defeated?

  2. Artist Frederic Sorrieu, who painted the idea of Democracy and Social Republic, belonged to which country?

  3. Which one of the following combinations of year and event concerning the French Revolution is correctly matched?

  4. Who is the critical of Carlyle’s account of the French Revolution?

  5. Which amongst the following was the moving cause of the Revolt?

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